What does flattening a PDF do?
Flattening merges form fields, annotations, and fill-in values permanently into the page content. The result looks identical but the fields can no longer be changed.
Flatten PDF
Bake interactive form fields into static page content so the filled values cannot be edited or cleared — processed locally in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I flatten a PDF before sending it?
To lock your filled form responses in place so the recipient cannot alter them, and to avoid compatibility issues with readers that handle interactive forms differently.
Will complex forms flatten correctly?
Simple text and checkbox fields flatten reliably. Highly layered or scripted forms may not flatten perfectly — check the output before distributing.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. Flattening runs locally in your browser; your file is never sent anywhere.